Legislature backs calls for new mission for 107th Air Wing

by jmaloni

Wed, Mar 21st 2012 07:45 am

Lance resolution supports "spy
plane" mission to save jobs

by Christian W. Peck

Public Information Officer

Niagara County Public Information
Office

Niagara County lawmakers
unanimously backed a proposal to assign a new mission to the 107th Air Wing at
the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station after a freshman legislator whose
district includes the vulnerable air base asked colleagues to get behind the
proposal as "the best option currently on the table."

Legislator Kathryn Lance,
R-Wheatfield, introduced a resolution in the County Legislature Tuesday that
made the deliberative body one of the first to formally back a plan, cobbled
together by a federally chartered panel of governors, that would shift the
107th Airlift Wing—which currently flies C-130 transport aircraft—to a
reconnaissance role.

The proposed shift would see the
unit likely move to either MC-12 reconnaissance planes or unmanned aerial
vehicles such as the Predator drones that have featured so prominently in the
War on Terror. It was proposed last week by the Council of Governors, a
post-9/11 legally mandated body composed of state chief executives from
throughout the U.S. tasked with providing input on homeland security matters.

The MC-12 is the U.S. Air Force's
newest spy plane, having entered the inventory in 2009.

Lance introduced the resolution
after attending a Monday morning breakfast with officials from the Niagara USA
Chamber of Commerce, Niagara Military Affairs Council, and Niagara Falls Air
Reserve Station. The breakfast served as a briefing and strategy session with
Steve Hyjek, of the lobbying firm Hyjek & Fix, who has directed advocacy
efforts on behalf of the base in Washington, D.C. The Council of Governors'
proposal was among various ideas discussed for saving the base from budget
cuts.

"The Niagara Falls Air Reserve
Station continues to be one of the largest employers in Western New York,
including over 3,500 individuals from Niagara and Erie counties, as well as
other parts of Western New York," Lance explained. "And the Air Reserve Station
has a direct impact on local economies of $168 million per year."

"The loss of jobs and revenues
from one of Niagara County's single largest employers would have a devastating
impact on the region's economy and, likewise, would have devastating
consequences for hundreds of Niagara County families," she said.

Lance noted that she concluded
the Council of Governors proposal was among the most viable after seeing an
editorial endorsing it in the Buffalo News last week.

On winning unanimous backing for
her resolution in support of the Council of Governors proposal, Lance was
blunt.

"The Niagara County Legislature
does endorse any viable plan to preserve the 850 Air National Guard jobs, as
well as full-time civilian support positions at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve
Station," she said.

The proposal was also strongly
backed by Wheatfield's other county representatives.

Legislator Dave Godfrey,
R-Wilson, whose district passes just north of the air base, called passage of
the measure "a critical step."

"Our region's economy derives
significant benefit from that base," Godfrey said. "Moreover, though, as a
veteran, I'm always troubled when I see extreme defense cuts. The 107th needs a
mission - or we'll lose that unit, and so will our country."